Kit for constructing adjustable toy ball races



Feb. 24,1970 H.5IGGELKOW 3,496,569

KIT FOR CONSTRUCTING ADJUSTABLE TOY BALL RACES .4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1967 l 6 mvzm'oa HORST .SIGGELKOW BY ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1970 Filed Jan.

KIT' ron-consi'nuci'me ADJUSTABLE TOY BALL RACES FIG. 13

FL- SIGGYEL'KOW .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HORST S/GGEL KOW MM J ff/war ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1970 H. slsszuxow 3,

KIT FOR CONSTRUCTING ADJUSTABLE TOY BALI RACES Filed Jan.- :50, 19s? .4 Sheets-Sheet. 5

mvsm'on HORST SIGGELKOW BY I ma! J! 42 ATTORNEY .II| I I ll I: I II l I I I I .1

' Feb. 24, 1970 H. S'QJIGGYEVLKOW I KIT CONST RUGTI NG ADJUSTABLE TOY'BALL RACES Fild Jan. 30, 1967 .4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR HORST SIGGfL 0w I ATTORNEY United States Patent S Int. Cl. A63h 33/06 US. Cl. 46-17 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A construction kit including a plurality of substantially tubular elements which are connectable so as to define an elongated passage through which a ball-shaped member can pass. The construction kit further includes support means comprising a plurality of disconnectable supports which can be connected to the interengageable elements to support the same in desired relative positions thereof, and ball-joint means which can cooperate with the interengageable elements and with the support means so that the latter can be varied in their relative positions at spaced points of the passage created, whereby the passage can have another than straight configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a construction kit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a construction kit for constructing a toy. Still more specifically, the present invention relates to a construction kit for constructing a toy ball race.

In the construction of toy ball races, that is toys in which a long passage is provided through which a ball or other spherical member may roll, it is desirable that the angle of inclination of the passage be adjustable so that the ball can be made to go up and down hill, to turn around curves, and the like. To achieve this it is necessary that individual sections which together constitute the passage be capable of adjustment relative to one another, as well as relative to a support means which supports these sections. Furthermore, support means must also be capahle of being adjusted so as to support individual sections of the passage at different elevations, at different angles of inclination, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The construction kit in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to achieve all of these objectives.

With the construction kit set forth in the present application, it is possible to construct ball races in such a manner that the ball passing through the race is caused to travel through curves, to travel uphill, downhill, to travel through loops, spirals and to traverse similar paths.

In accordance with one feature of my invention I provide a construction kit which comprises a plurality of interengageable elements which define, in the interengaged condition thereof, elongated passage means. Such passage means is, in accordance with the invention, adjustable to a plurality of longitudinal configurations which range from a straight condition to a volute condition and the passage means is adapted for passage of a ball-shaped member therethrough in any of such conditions. My novel construction kit further comprises support means which is connectable with the elements for supporting the same in selected relationship with each other.

My construction -kit employs straight or curved cage elements, which may be closed or partially open for access to the track and also for observation of the ball element passing along the track.

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The individual elements of my novel construction kit can be connected to support means also provided, and the connection can be so effected that, while the support means remains in its predetermined condition, the elements connected thereto can be tilted or swiveled through 45 in any direction relative to the support means.

The track which can be constructed from the elements of my novel construction kit can be fixed in any desired position.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cage element for use in my novel construction kit;

FIG. 2 is a vertical elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view as seen facing the end portion 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view as seen in the direction of the arrow B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical elevation similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but showing a different embodiment of cage element for use with my novel construction kit;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken through the embodiment shown in ,FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing a curved cage element for use with my novel construction kit;

FIG. 8 is the element of FIG. 7, in a view similar to that of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support member for use with the cage elements shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 10 is a section taken on the line XX of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, showing an exemplary arrangement of a plurality of the members shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an adjusting member for use in conjunction with the cage elements and the support elements of the novel construction kit;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, showing the element of FIG. 12 connected with the element of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary section showing a ball-joint of an adjusting member of the type shown in FIG. 12, as well as the cooperation of the adjusting member with the element of FIG. 9 in the cooperative arrangement seen in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top-plan view of an auxiliary support member for use in conjunction with the support element of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15

FIG. 17 is an end elevation of FIG. 16, as seen in the direction of the arrow C; and

FIG. 18 is an exemplary illustration showing a structure erected with the various components of my novel construction kit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly FIG.

ball-shaped member may roll, consists of end portions and connecting portions extending intermediate these end portions. This is more clearly shown in FIG. 2 where the cage element 1 will be seen to comprise a plurality of strip or rod-shaped wall or connecting portions 2, of which the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is assumed to have four in number, which connect a first end portion 3 of hollow octagonal or hollow polyhedral configuration with a second end portion 4 of cylindrical configuration and having a cylindrical passage therein.

FIG. 3 shows the end portion 3 in more detail, and FIG. 4 shows the end portion 4 in more detail, the generally polygonal configuration of end portion 3 being clearly evident, just as the generally cylindrical configuration of end portion 4 is readily discernible. FIGS. 3 and 4 show that both end portions are provided with a throughgoing passage which is of course aligned with the passage defined by the wall portions of strip-shape.

A somewhat modified cage section or element is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 from which it will be evident that this section, which is again indicated with reference numeral 1 generally, is substantially similar to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and diifers therefrom in the provision of only three of the strip-Shaped wall portions. The latter, it is to be noted, are in FIGS. 5 and 6 indicated with reference numeral 2a, whereas the end portions are indicated with reference numerals 3a and 4a, respectively, but are identical in configuration with the end portions 3 and 4 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section through the embodiment in FIG. 5 and indicates clearly that only three of the strip-shaped Wall portions 2a are provided in this embodiment, as well as showing the configuration of the elongated passage for the ball member.

Coming now to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 it will be seen that this is largely similar to the embodiments discussed herebefore, except that it is curved in longitudinal direction. The purpose of this is, of course, to provide for a curvature of the ball race which is to be constructed with these various elements. FIG. 7 shows the curved cage element to be indicated generally with reference numeral 7, whereas the strip-shaped wall portions are again indicated with reference numeral 2 and the end portions are respectively indicated with reference numerals 3 and 4, as in the preceding embodiments. FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a view similar to that in FIG. 2 and is believed to be self-explanatory. Since the purpose of the elements in FIGS. 7 and 8 is to change the direction of the ball, that is to send it through loops, spirals and similar configurations, it will be understood that it is not practical to provide.the element of FIGS. 7 and 8 with only three of the strip-shaped wall portions 2, in the manner shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, it is contemplated to provide the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 always with four of these strip-shaped wall portions 2.

The purpose of providing one of the end portions of the cage sections with a cylindrical opening and to provide the other end portion to be of polygonal exterior outline is to make it possible to insert the polygonal end portion into the opening with the cylindrical configuration, so that the polygonal end portion may be retained by friction therein. Of course, it should be understood that the various elements of the novel construction kit are advantageously made from a slightly resilient synthetic plastic material so that the tension which is produced by forcing the polygonal end portion into the cylindrical opening of the other end portion serves to retain two thus-connected cage elements to one another. This arrangement makes it possible to mount successive cages, and especially the curved cage shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, at any desired angle relative to one another, and also that such cages can be rotated relative to one another and thus connected in any desired angular relationship without any difficulties. Furthermore, this arrangement makes it possible to utilize thin-walled cages which can be fitted together very securely without any need for changing the diameter of the ball track within which the ball element rolls.

Coming now to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 it will be seen that the mounting unit or support element shown there is indicated generally with reference numeral 8. It is preferred that it be of square configuration although this is not absolutely necessary. In any case, the mounting unit 8 is provided with a cylindrical bore or opening 9 and on one of its side faces it is provided with a rod-shaped projection 10 which, as is evident from the drawing, is hollow to enhance its elastic compressibility. The opposite side face is provided with a longitudinally extending undercut groove 12 into which a rod-shaped guide portion 10 of another mounting unit 9 can be introduced in end-wise relationship, thus securing the two mounting units to one another. This results in a very tight connection and assures that accidental withdrawal of the guide rod 10 of one of the mounting units 8 from the undercut groove 12 of the other mounting unit 8 in the direction normal to the elongation of the undercut groove 12 is impossible. Furthermore, it makes it possible to shift the thus-connected mounting units 8 relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of their respective guide rods 10 and undercut grooves 12, and this i indicated in FIG. 11 where one mounting unit, identified with reference numeral 8a, is shown to be offset relative to the mounting unit 8 to which it is connected in the manner described above. Each of the mounting units 8 is provided with the opening 9 therethrough, as has been indicated earlier and as has been clearly visible in FIG. 10, for instance. From this figure it Will also be seen that the inner circumferential wall bounding this opening 9 is convex, or, to put this another way, that the opening is undercut so that each of these openings 9 can accommodate a ball joint as will be described presently.

FIG. 12 shows an adjusting element by means of which the configuration of the track assembled from the various aforementioned cage elements can be changed at will. It is indicated in FIG. 12 generally with reference numeral 13 and consists of two sections 14, 14' which are interconnected with a ball joint 16 as will be shown in FIG. 14. The sections 14, 14' are provided with a cylindrical passage 15 therethrough, just as are the cage elements described earlier, but it is to be noted that the walls defining the respective sections 14, 14 are not composed of strip-shaped portions, but are circumferentially complete in the illustrated embodiment. At one end the adjusting element is provided with a polygonal end portion 3a so that it may be connected to one of the aforedescribed cage elements, whereas the other end is provided with an end portion corresponding to the end portion 4a and provided With a cylindrical opening so that in turn the polygonal end portion 3 or 3a of another cage element may be connected thereto.

FIG. 13 shows the adjusting element 13 of FIG. 12 connected to one of the mounting units 8 shown in FIG. 9. Identical reference numerals indicate identical elements, and it Will be seen that the ball joint 16 of the adjusting element 13 is received in the opening 9 of the mounting unit 8.

FIG. 14 is a section taken through the arrangement of FIG. 13 and it will be clearly evident from this that the ball joint consists in known manner of two interengaging sections 16 which are movable relative to one another about the axis of the passage 15, whereas the entire ball joint is also movable relative to the mounting unit 8. Thus, the direction of a ball-shaped member passing through the passage of the adjusting element 13 can be changed by swiveling the sections 14, 14 relative to one another whereas during such swiveling or adjusting the mounting unit 8 remains completely stationary.

FIGS. 15-17 show an auxiliary support member or mounting unit for use with the main support member or mounting unit shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 15 is a top-plan view of such an auxiliary support member and it will be seen that the latter is indicated generally with reference numeral 17. Preferably, but not necessary, the auxiliary mounting unit 17 also is of square configuration, and such embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 15-17. As FIG. 15 shows, the auxiliary mounting unit 17 is provided on one of its major surfaces with two crossed undercut grooves 18 corresponding in their cross-sectional configuration to the undercut grooves 12 provided on the main mounting units 8.

The other major surface of the auxiliary mounting unit 17 is provided with relatively wide grooves 19 which may or may not extend all the way across the member 17. In FIG. 16 the grooves 19 are shown to be discontinuous but to extend at right angles to one another. Within the grooves 19 there is arranged a guide rod 20 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 16, necessarily consists of discontinuous sections since the grooves 19 are similarly discontinuous. The configuration of the guide rod 20 is similar to that of the guide rods provided on the main mounting units 8, and this is clearly shown in FIG. 17 where it will be evident that the guide rods 20 or the guide rod sections 20 are hollow so as to enhance the elastic compressibility thereof. It will be understood, of course, that the auxiliary mounting units 17 can be connected to the main mounting units 8 in the same manner which the latter can be connected to one another. The cross-wise arrangement of the grooves 18 as well as of the grooves 19 with their associated guide rods 20 makes it possible to arrange the mounting units 8 connected to the auxiliary mounting units 7 at intervals and offset by 90 relative to one another.

Corning, finally, to FIG. 18 it will be seen that this is an exemplary illustration of a structure which can be assembled with the various elements of my novel construction kit as disclosed herein. The ball race shown in FIG. 18 utilizes the main mounting units 8 as well as a plurality of the various cage elements 1 and curved cage elements 7, and the cage elements are connected to the main mounting units 8 by means of the adjusting elements with their respective ball joints 16. Although the auxiliary mounting units 17 are not shown in FIG. 18, it will be clear that the serve to support the main mounting units 8 in desired relative relationship. FIG. 18 indicates clearly the essential concept, namely to provide a ball race whose passage can be so arranged that the ball (not shown) is forced to pass in a relatively tortuous path up and down hill, through curves, through loops, in spirals or through similar configurations.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of construction kits differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a construction kit for constructing ball races and similar toys, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A construction kit, comprising, in combination, a plurality of elongated interengageable elements which define, in the interengaged condition thereof, elongated passage means adjustable to a plurality of longitudinal configurations ranging from a straight to a volute condition and adapted for passage of a ball-shaped member; first male and female connecting portions provided on opposite ends of said elements for enabling interconnection thereof; support means for supporting said elements in selected relationship with each other; ball-joint means provided on said support means tiltable relative thereto and provided with a passage extending between opposite sides of said ball-joint means of a size for advancement of the ball-shaped member therethrough; and second male and female connecting portions provided on said ball-joint means at said opposite sides thereof and each matingly engageable with a corresponding one of said first connecting portion on one of said elements so as to enable connecting of the latter to said ball-joint means so as to be tiltable therewith while maintaining alignment of said passage means with said passage.

2. A construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said interengageable elements are of cage-like configuration.

3. A construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said interengageable elements comprise elongated elements each including two spaced end portions and a plurality of strip-shaped wall portions extending intermediate said end portions.

4. A construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said interengageable elements comprise elongated elements each including two spaced end portions and four equiangularly spaced strip-shaped wall portions extending intermediate said end portions.

*5. A construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said interengageable elements comprise elongated elements each including two spaced end portions and three angularly spaced wall portions extending intermediate said end portions.

6. A construction kit as defined in claim 3, wherein at least some of said elements are straight.

7. A construction kit as defined in claim 6, wherein at least some of said elements are curved in longitudinal direction thereof.

8. A construction kit as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said end portions is provided with said male first connecting portion projecting longitudinally of the respective element and having a polygonal outline.

9. A construction kit as defined in claim 8, wherein said outline is octagonal.

10. A construction kit as defined in claim 8, wherein the other of said end portions is provided with a cylindrical opening aligned with the passage defined by said stripshaped wall portions and constituting said first female connecting portion.

11. A construction kit as defined in claim 10, wherein said cylindrical opening is so configurated as to receive and frictionally retain therein said connecting portion of polygonal outline of another of said elements.

12. A construction kit as defined in claim 11, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of individual support plates.

13. A construction kit as defined in claim 12, wherein each of said support plates is of square configuration and has two opposite major surfaces, and lateral surfaces extending between and connecting said major surfaces, said plates further being provided with an opening extending from one to the other of said surfaces.

14. A construction kit as defined in claim 13, wherein said opening is configurated to receive said ball joint means.

15. A construction kit as defined in claim 14, wherein one of said lateral surfaces is provided with a rod-shaped connecting portion of hollow configuration projecting therefrom and extending in longitudinal direction of the respective lateral surface, and wherein another of said lateral surfaces is provided with an undercut groove adapted to receive a similar rod-shaped connecting portion of another of said plates.

16. A construction kit as defined in claim 15; and further comprising auxiliary support means having two major faces opposite one another and a plurality of side faces extending intermediate and connecting said major 2,417,641 3/ 1947 Fischer 4643 X faces, one of said major faces being provided with two 2,956,806 10/1960 Routson 46-17 X undercut grooves extending cross-wise of each other, 3,069,805 12/1962 Burrows 46-16 and the other of said major faces being provided with at 3,145,501 8/1964 Grosser 4617 least two hollow guide rods extending cross-wise of each 5 3,310,906 3/1967 Glukes 46-17X other. A 3,343,793 9/ 1967 Waser.

17. construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein all of said elements of said construction kit consist of FOREIGN PATENTS synthetic plastic material. 311,277 6/1919 Germany.

References Cited F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS U'S- C1- X-R 2,198,075 4/1940 Borek 4643X 46 43 2,224,776 12/1940 Bermann 46-43X 15 

